The History of Chocolate By morganabbruzzese 1502 Columbus arrives in the Americas and finds cocoa beans 1819 The first Swiss chocolate factory opens. 1847 The first solid chocolate bar is produced. 1861 Cadbury creates the first heart shaped candy box for Valentine's Day. 1906 Milton Hershey's birthplace in PA is renamed Hershey. 1925 The New York Cocoa Exchange is formed allowing buyers and sellers to make transactions. 1926 Godiva chocolate company opens and becomes competition for Hershey and Nestle. 1940 Chocolate begins selling to the consumer at less expensive, more affordable prices.